Fox's Book of Martyrs

FOX'S BOOK OF MARTYRS

CHAPTER I

History of Christian Martyrs to the First General Persecutions

Under Nero

Christ our Savior, in the Gospel of Matthew, hearing the confession of Simon Peter, who, first of all other, openly acknowledged Him to be the Son of God, and perceiving the secret hand of His Father therein, called him (alluding to his name) a rock, upon which rock He would build His Church so strong that the gates of hell should not prevail against it. In which words three things are to be noted: First, that Christ will have a Church in this world. Secondly, that the same Church should mightily be persecuted, not only by the world, but also by the uttermost strength and powers of all hell. And, thirdly, that the same Church, notwithstanding the uttermost of the devil and all his malice, should continue.

Which prophecy of Christ we see wonderfully to be verified, insomuch that the whole course of the Church to this day may seem nothing else but a verifying of this prophecy. First, that Christ hath set up a Church, needs no declaration. Secondly, what force of princes, kings, monarchs, governors, and rulers of this world, with their subjects, publicly and privately, with all their strength and cunning, have bent themselves against this Church! And, thirdly, how the said Church, all this notwithstanding, has yet endured and holden its own! What storms and tempests it has overpast, wondrous it is to behold: for the more evident declaration whereof, I have addressed this present history, to the end, first, that the wonderful works of God in His Church might appear to His glory; also that, the continuance and proceedings of the Church, from time to time, being set forth, more knowledge and experience may redound thereby, to the profit of the reader and edification of Christian faith.

As it is not our business to enlarge upon our Savior's history, either before or after His crucifixion, we shall only find it necessary to remind our readers of the discomfiture of the Jews by His subsequent resurrection. Although one apostle had betrayed Him; although another had denied Him, even with an oath; and although the rest had forsaken Him, unless we may except “the disciple who was known unto the high-priest”; the history of His resurrection gave a new direction to all their hearts, and, after the mission of the Holy Spirit, imparted new confidence to their minds. The powers with which they were endued emboldened them to proclaim His name, to the confusion of the Jewish rulers, and the astonishment of Gentile proselytes.

I. Stephen

After the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Stephen suffered the next in order. His death was occasioned by the faithful manner in which he preached the Gospel to the betrayers and murderers of Christ. To such a degree of madness were they excited, that they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death. The time when he suffered is generally supposed to have been at the next Passover which succeeded to that of our Lord's crucifixion, in the following year.

Upon this a great persecution was raised against all who professed their belief in Christ as the Messiah, or as a prophet. We are immediately told by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles, that “there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;” and that “they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

About two thousand Christians, with Nicanor, another one of the seven deacons, suffered martyrdom during the “persecution that arose about Stephen.”

II. James the Great

The next martyr we meet with, according to Luke, in the History of the Acts of the Apostles, was James the son of Zebedee, the elder brother of John, and a relative of our Lord. It was not until ten years after the death of Stephen that the second martyrdom took place.

No sooner had Herod Agrippa been appointed governor of Judea, than, with a view to gain favor with the Jews, he raised a sharp persecution against the Christians, and determined to make an effectual blow, by striking at their leaders. As James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle's extraordinary courage and undauntedness, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. Hence they were both beheaded at the same time. Thus did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup, which he had told our Savior he was ready to drink. These events took place A.D. 44.

III. Philip

Phillip was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee and was first called by the name of “disciple.” He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54.

IV. Matthew (Levi)

Matthew, whose occupation was that of a toll-gatherer (tax collector), was born at Nazareth. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a spear in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60.

V. James the Less

James the Less was referred to as the brother of our Lord. He was elected to the oversight of the churches of Jerusalem; and was the author of the Epistle ascribed to James in the sacred canon. At the age of ninety-four he was beat and stoned by the Jews.

Expanded History:

James the brother of our Lord took in hand to govern the church after the apostles, being counted of all men from the time of our Lord to be a just and perfect man.

Therefore whenas many of the heretics which were among the people asked him what manner of gift Jesus should be, he answered that he was the Saviour. The aforesaid heretics neither believe the resurrection, neither that any shall come which shall render unto every man according to his work. Whenas many therefore of the princes did believe, there was a tumult made of the scribes, Jews, and Pharisees, saying, It is dangerous, lest that all the people do look for this Jesus as for Christ. Therefore they gathered themselves together, and said to James, “We beseech thee, restrain the people, for they believe in Jesus as though he were Christ; we pray thee, persuade them all which come unto the feast of the Passover of Jesus; for we are all obedient unto thee, and all the people do testify of thee that thou art just, neither that thou dost accept the person of any man; therefore persuade the people that they be not deceived in Jesus, and all the people and we will obey thee: therefore stand upon the pillar of the temple, that thou mayst be seen from above, and that thy words may be perceived of all the people, for to this Passover all the tribes do come with all the country.”

And thus the forenamed scribes and Pharisees did set James upon the battlements of the church (pillar of the temple), and they cried unto him and said, “Thou just man, whom all we ought to obey, because this people is led after Jesus, which is crucified, tell what is the gift of Jesus crucified.”

And he answered with a great voice, “What do you ask me of Jesus the Son of man, seeing that he sits on the right hand of God in heaven, and shall come in the clouds of the sky?”When many of the people were persuaded by what they heard from James, they glorified God and said, Hosanna in the highest to the Son of David.

Then the scribes and the Pharisees said among themselves, “We have done evil that we have caused such a testimony of Jesus, but let us go up, and let us take him, that they, being compelled with fear, may deny that faith.” And they cried out, saying, “Oh, oh, this just man also is seduced.” Therefore they went up to throw down the just man, and said among themselves, Let us stone this just man James; and they took him to smite him with stones, for he was not yet dead when he was cast down. But he turning, fell down upon his knees, saying, “O Lord God, Father, I beseech thee to forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

But when they had smitten him with stones, one of the priests of the children of Rechas, the son of Charobim, spake to them the testimony which is in Jeremiah the prophet: “Leave off; what do ye? The just man prayeth for you.” And one of those which were present took a hammer, wherewith they did use to beat and purge cloth, and smote the just man on his head; and so he finished his martyrdom, and they buried him in the same place, and his pillar abides still by the temple. He was a true testimony to the Jews and the Gentiles.

VI. Matthias

Matthias, of whom less is known than of most of the other disciples, was elected to fill the vacant place of Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.

VII. Andrew

Andrew was the brother of Peter. He preached the gospel to many Asian nations; but on his arrival at Edessa he was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground (in the shape of an X). Hence the derivation of the term, St. Andrew's Cross.

Expanded History:

Andrew the brother of Peter did preach in the eightieth year after our Lord Jesus Christ to the Scythians, Sogdians, to the Saxons, and in a city which is called Angustia. Through his diligent preaching many were brought to the faith of Christ. Egeas the governor knowing this, resorted thither, to the intent he might force all those who believed Christ to be God, to do sacrifice unto the idols. Andrew thinking to resist the wicked counsel and the doings of Egeas, went unto him, saying to this effect unto him: “He who is judge of men, must first know his Judge which dwells in heaven, and then to worship Him the true God, and to turn away from the worship of false gods and blind idols.”

Egeas, greatly therewith discontented, demanded of him whether he was the same Andrew that did overthrow the temple of the gods, and persuaded men of that superstitious sect (the Christians), which the Romans of late had commanded to be abolished and rejected. Andrew did plainly affirm, that the princes of the Romans did not understand the truth, and that the Son of God, coming from heaven into the world for man's sake, has taught and declared how those idols, whom the Romanshonored as gods, were not only not gods, but also most cruel devils, enemies to mankind, teaching the people nothing else but that wherewith God is offended, and being offended, turns away and regards them not; and so by the wicked service of the devil they do fall head long into all wickedness, and after their departing nothing remains unto them but their evil deeds.

But the proconsul, seeing these words as vain, therefore charged and commanded Andrew not to teach and preach such things any more; or if he did, that he should be fastened to the cross with all speed.

Andrew abiding in his former mind very constant, answered thus concerning the punishment which he was threatened: He would not have preached the honor and glory of the cross, if he had feared the death of the cross. Then the sentence of condemnation was pronounced, that Andrew, teaching a new sect, and taking away the religion of their gods, ought to be crucified.

Andrew coming to the place, and seeing afar off the cross prepared, did change neither countenance nor color, neither did his blood shrink, neither did he fail in his speech; his body fainted not, neither was his mind molested; his understanding did not fail him, as it is the manner of men to do, but out of the abundance of his heart his mouth did speak; and fervent charity did appear in his words as kindled sparks: he said, “O cross, most welcome and long looked for; with a willing mind joyfully and desirously I come to thee, being the scholar of Him which did hang on thee; because I have been always thy lover, and have coveted to embrace thee.” So being crucified, he yielded up the ghost and fell into sleep, the day before the month of December.

VIII. Mark

Mark was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He is supposed to have been converted to Christianity by Peter, whom he served as a scribe, and under whose inspection he wrote his Gospel in the Greek language. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria, at the great solemnity of Serapis their idol, ending his life under their merciless hands.

IX. Peter

Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; although some others, and not without cause, do doubt thereof. Hegesippus says that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would flee the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to escape. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said, “Lord, whither dost Thou go?” To whom He answered and said, “I am come again to be crucified.” By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city. Jerome says that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (as he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.

X. Paul

Paul, the apostle, who before was called Saul, after his great travail and unspeakable labors in promoting the Gospel of Christ, suffered also in this first persecution under Nero. Paul while occupied at Rome, was accused to the emperor, not only for teaching new doctrine, but also for stirring up sedition against the empire. For this he being called before Nero, and demanded to show the order and manner of his doctrine, there declared what his doctrine was: “To teach all men peace and charity, how to love one another, how to uphold one another in honor; rich men not to be puffed up in pride, nor to put their trust in their treasures, but in the living God; humble men to be contented with food and raiment, and with their present state; poor men to rejoice in their poverty with hope; fathers to bring up their children in the fear of God; children to obey their parents; husbands to love their wives; wives to be subject to their husbands; citizens and subjects to give their tribute unto Cæsar, and to be subject to their magistrates; masters to be courteous, not churlish, to their servants; servants to deal faithfully with their masters: and this to be the sum of his teaching. Which his doctrine he received not of men, nor by men, but by Jesus Christ, and the Father of glory, which spake to him from heaven; the Lord Jesus saying to him, that he should go and preach His Name, and that He would be with him, and would be the Spirit of life to all that believed in Him, and that whatsoever he did or said He would justify it, etc.”

After that Paul had thus declared unto the emperor, shortly after, sentence of death was pronounced against him, that he should be beheaded. Unto whose execution then Nero sent two of his soldiers, Ferega and Parthemius, to bring him word that he should die. They coming to Paul, who was then instructing the people, desired him to pray for them, that they might believe. This done, the soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword.

XI. Jude

The brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72.

XII. Bartholomew

Bartholomew preached in several countries, and having translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.

XIII. Thomas

Thomas, called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.

XIV. Luke

Luke the evangelist, was the author of the Gospel which goes under his name. He traveled with Paul through various countries, and is supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree, by the idolatrous priests of Greece.